U.S. patent number 6,471,171 [Application Number 10/034,583] was granted by the patent office on 2002-10-29 for 2-piece ladder rack bracket.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Panduit Corp.. Invention is credited to Charles VanderVelde.
United States Patent |
6,471,171 |
VanderVelde |
October 29, 2002 |
2-piece ladder rack bracket
Abstract
A bracket system for attachment to a rail is disclosed. The
bracket system includes a first bracket having a front portion, a
first side portion, a second side portion opposite the first side
portion, and a top portion. Each of the first and second side
portions of the first bracket have a notch for securing the first
bracket to the rail. The bracket system also includes a second
bracket having a front portion, a first side portion, a second side
portion opposite the first side portion, and a top portion. Each of
the first and second side portions of the second bracket have a
notch for securing the second bracket to the rail. The first side
portion of the first and second brackets each have at least one
slot, and the second side portion of the first and second brackets
each have a tab. The at least one slot of the first bracket is
configured to receive the tab of the second bracket when the second
bracket is inverted and attached to the first bracket.
Inventors: |
VanderVelde; Charles
(Frankfort, IL) |
Assignee: |
Panduit Corp. (Tinley Park,
IL)
|
Family
ID: |
21877317 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/034,583 |
Filed: |
December 28, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/229.12;
248/229.14; 256/65.03; 403/340 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02G
3/32 (20130101); F16B 2/065 (20130101); F16B
2/12 (20130101); Y10T 403/655 (20150115) |
Current International
Class: |
H02G
3/30 (20060101); H02G 3/32 (20060101); F16B
2/06 (20060101); F16B 2/12 (20060101); F16B
2/02 (20060101); E04E 003/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;248/229.12,229.14,229.22,229.24,201,228.3,230.3,231.41,211,229.1,226.11,228.5
;256/65.03 ;403/340,374.3 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
ADC Telecommunications, Inc. FiberGuide.RTM. Fiber Management
System catalog, p. 36, dated May 2000. .
ADC Telecommunications, Inc. Supporting Overhead Systems brochure,
date unknown. .
Chatsworth Products, Inc. Cable Runway Support Products brochure, 2
pages, dated Mar. 16, 2000. .
Homaco, Inc. Open & Closed Clips brochure, 1 page, dated May
30, 2000. .
Newton Instrument Company, Inc. brochure, pp. 18-19, date unknown.
.
B-Line.RTM. Systems Inc. Cable Runway Accessories brochure, p. 116,
date unknown..
|
Primary Examiner: Ramirez; Ramon O.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: McCann; Robert A. Saltzman; Jay A.
Clancy; Christopher S.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A bracket system for attachment to a rail, the system
comprising: a first bracket having a front portion, a first side
portion, a second side portion opposite the first side portion, and
a top portion, wherein the first and second side portions of the
first bracket have a notch for securing the first bracket to the
rail; a second bracket having a front portion, a first side
portion, a second side portion opposite the first side portion, and
a top portion, wherein the first and second side portions of the
second bracket have a notch for securing the second bracket to the
rail; the first side portion of the first and second brackets
having at least one slot; and the second side portion of the first
and second brackets having a tab, wherein the at least one slot of
the first bracket being configured to receive the tab of the second
bracket when the second bracket is inverted and attached to the
first bracket.
2. The bracket system of claim 1 wherein the front portion of the
first and second brackets has a height and the first side portion
of the first and second brackets has a height, wherein the height
of the front portion is less than the height of the first side
portion.
3. The bracket system of claim 1 wherein the first side portion of
the first and second brackets includes a first slot and a second
slot.
4. The bracket system of claim 3 wherein the tab of the second
bracket mates with the first slot of the first bracket when the
second bracket is inverted and attached to the first bracket.
5. The bracket system of claim 3 wherein the tab of the second
bracket mates with the second slot of the first bracket when the
second bracket is inverted and attached to the first bracket.
6. The bracket system of claim 3 wherein the tab of the first
bracket mates with the first slot of the second bracket when the
second bracket is inverted and attached to the first bracket.
7. The bracket system of claim 3 wherein the tab of the first
bracket mates with the second slot of the second bracket when the
second bracket is inverted and attached to the second bracket.
8. The bracket system of claim 1 wherein the top portion of the
first and second brackets includes an aperture proximate the first
side portion of the first and second brackets, respectively.
9. The bracket system of claim 8 further including a securing means
for securing the bracket system to the rail.
10. The bracket system of claim 9 wherein the securing means
comprises a threaded rod having a first end and a second end, the
rod being insertable through the aperture in the top portion of the
first and second brackets, respectively.
11. The bracket system of claim 10 further including a first nut
and a first washer attached to the first end of the rod, and a
second nut and a second washer attached to the second end of the
rod.
12. The bracket system of claim 1 wherein the top portion of the
first and second brackets includes an aperture proximate the second
side portion of the first and second brackets, respectively.
13. A method for attaching a bracket system to a rail, the method
comprising the steps of: providing a first bracket having a front
portion, a first side portion, a second side portion opposite the
first side portion, and a top portion, wherein the first and second
side portions of the first bracket have a notch for securing the
first bracket to the rail; providing a second bracket having a
front portion, a first side portion, a second side portion opposite
the first side portion, and a top portion, wherein the first and
second side portions of the second bracket have a notch for
securing the second bracket to the rail; providing the first side
portion of the first and second brackets with at least one slot,
and the second side portion of the first and second brackets with a
tab; attaching the first bracket to one side of the rail; inverting
the second bracket; attaching the second bracket to the other side
of the rail, with the first side portion of the second bracket
between the first and second side portions of the first bracket;
and attaching the second bracket to the first bracket.
14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the steps of:
inserting a threaded rod having a first end and a second end
through an aperture in the top portion of the first and second
brackets; and attaching a securing means to the first end and the
second end of the rod to secure the bracket assembly to the rail.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a bracket system for
attachment to a ladder rack rail, and more particularly, to a
two-piece clamping bracket for a ladder rack, capable of attachment
to ladder rack rails of various sizes.
Bracket systems attach components to existing hardware within a
communications room area. Typically, the bracket system is attached
to existing hardware, such as in-place cable racks, digital cable
ways, existing threaded rods or equipment racks. Prior art bracket
systems may include one bracket or two bracket assemblies. However,
a one bracket assembly may be attached to only one size ladder rack
rail. On the other hand, two bracket assemblies may be attached to
ladder rack rails of various sizes, such as standard 11/2 inch or 2
inch ladder rack rails. However, two bracket assemblies known in
the art are not self-supporting on a ladder rack rail.
It would be desirable to provide a bracket system for attachment to
ladder rack rails of various sizes, such as standard 11/2 inch and
2 inch ladder rack rails.
It would also be desirable to provide a bracket system that is
self-supporting upon a ladder rack, after the second bracket is
attached to the first bracket, to allow easy insertion of a
threaded rod through clearance holes on each bracket's top
surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention includes a bracket system for attachment to a rail.
In at least one form, the bracket system comprises a first bracket
having a front portion, a first side portion, a second side portion
opposite the first side portion, and a top portion, and a second
bracket having a front portion, a first side portion, a second side
portion opposite the first side portion, and a top portion. Each of
the first and second side portions of the first and second
brackets, respectively, have a notch for securing the first and
second brackets, respectively, to the rail. The first side portion
of the first and second brackets each have at least one slot, and
the second side portion of the first and second bracket each have a
tab. The at least one slot of the first bracket is configured to
receive the tab of the second bracket when the second bracket is
inverted and attached to the first bracket.
Preferably, the height of the front portion of the first and second
brackets is less than the height of either the first or second side
portions of the first and second brackets.
Preferably, the first side portion of the first and second brackets
includes a first slot and a second slot.
Preferably, the tab of the second bracket mates with either the
first or second slot of the first bracket when the second bracket
is inverted and attached to the first bracket. Further, the tab of
the first bracket mates with either the first or second slot of the
second bracket when the second bracket is inverted and attached to
the first bracket.
Preferably, the top portion of the first and second brackets
includes an aperture proximate the first side portion of the first
and second brackets, respectively.
Preferably, the bracket system also includes a securing means for
securing the bracket system to the rail. The securing means
comprises a threaded rod having a first end and a second end, and
the rod is insertable through the aperture in the top portion of
the first and second brackets, respectively. The bracket system
further includes a first nut and a first washer attached to the
first end of the rod, and a second nut and a second washer attached
to the second end of the rod.
The invention includes a method for attaching a bracket system to a
rail. In at least one form, the method comprises the steps of
providing a first bracket having a front portion, a first side
portion, a second side portion opposite the first side portion, and
a top portion, wherein the first and second side portions of the
first bracket have a notch for securing the first bracket to the
rail, providing a second bracket having a front portion, a first
side portion, a second side portion opposite the first side
portion, and a top portion, wherein the first and second side
portions of the second bracket have a notch for securing the second
bracket to the rail, providing the first side portion of the first
and second brackets with at least one slot, and the second side
portion of the first and second brackets with a tab, attaching the
first bracket to one side of the rail, inverting the second
bracket, attaching the second bracket to the other side of the
rail, with the first side portion of the second bracket between the
first and second side portions of the first bracket, and attaching
the second bracket to the first bracket.
Preferably, the method further comprises the steps of inserting a
threaded rod having a first end and a second end through an
aperture in the top portion of the first and second brackets, and
attaching a securing means to the first end and the second end of
the rod to secure the bracket assembly to the rail.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
FIG. 1 shows a completely assembled bracket system in accordance
with a preferred embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 shows a rear perspective view of the bracket system of FIG.
1;
FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the bracket system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 shows a rear perspective view of the bottom bracket of FIG.
1;
FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the bracket system of FIG.
1, taken along the line 5--5 in FIG. 1 and looking in the direction
of the arrows;
FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the bracket system of FIG.
1, taken along the line 6--6 in FIG. 5 and looking in the direction
of the arrows;
FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the bracket system of FIG.
1, taken along the line 7--7 in FIG. 6 and looking in the direction
of the arrows;
FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the top and bottom brackets of
FIG. 1, during attachment to the rail;
FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the top and bottom brackets of
FIG. 1, after attachment to the rail;
FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional view of the top and bottom brackets
of FIG. 1, taken along the line 10--10 in FIG. 9 and looking in the
direction of the arrows;
FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of the top and bottom brackets
of FIG. 1, after the bottom bracket has been secured to the top
bracket;
FIG. 12 shows a completely assembled bracket system in accordance
with another preferred embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 13 shows a cross-sectional view of the bracket system of FIG.
12, taken along the line 13--13 of FIG. 12 and looking in the
direction of the arrows; and
FIG. 14 shows a cross-sectional view of the bracket system of FIG.
12, taken along the line 14--14 of FIG. 13 and looking in the
direction of the arrows.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The illustrated embodiment of the invention is directed to a
two-piece bracket system for attachment to ladder rack rails of
various sizes. The bracket system is self-supporting upon the
ladder rack rail after the second bracket is attached to the first
bracket, to allow easy insertion of a threaded rod through the
aperture in the first and second brackets.
FIG. 1 shows a completely assembled bracket system 10 attached to a
rail 12. FIG. 2 shows a rear view of the same, and FIG. 3 shows an
exploded view of the same. As can be seen therein, in a preferred
embodiment, the bracket system 10 includes a first bracket 14 and a
second bracket 16. The first bracket 14 and the second bracket 16,
after being inverted, are attached to the rail 12 to form the
bracket system 10.
As best seen in exploded FIG. 3, first bracket 14 includes a front
portion 18, a first side portion 20, a second side portion 22
opposite the first side portion 20, and a top portion 24.
Preferably, the height of the front portion 18 is less than the
height of either the first side portion 20 or the second side
portion 22.
As can be seen in FIG. 4, the second bracket 16 is identical to the
first bracket 14. Accordingly, components of the second bracket 16
are numbered the same as components of the first bracket 14,
differentiated by a prime (') notation. The second bracket 16
includes front portion 18', first side portion 20', second side
portion 22' opposite the first side portion 20', and a top portion
24'.
As shown in FIG. 8, the first side portion 20 includes a notch 26,
a flange 28, a first slot 30, and a second slot 32. The notch 26
allows the first bracket 14 to be positioned over the rail 12.
Similarly, as shown in cross-section in FIG. 7, the second side
portion 22 of the first bracket 14 includes a notch 34, a flange
36, and a tab 38. The notch 34 allows the first bracket 14 to be
positioned over the rail 12. Flanges 28, 28', 36, and 36' provide
surface contact points adjacent to the rail 12. By providing these
four contact points with the rail 12, the present invention
accommodates manufacturing irregularities in the rail 12. For
example, the rail 12 may not be flush with the notches 26, 26', 34,
and 34'.
The first slots, 30 and 30', and the second slots, 32 and 32',
allow the bracket assembly 10 to be attached to either a standard
11/2 inch ladder rail or a standard 2 inch ladder rail. As shown in
perspective in FIG. 1 and in cross-section in FIG. 6, when attached
to a 2 inch ladder rail, the tab 38' of the second bracket 16 mates
with the second slot 32 of the first bracket 14. Moreover, the tab
38 of the first bracket 14 mates with the second slot 32' of the
second bracket 16. As shown in perspective in FIG. 12 and in
cross-section in FIG. 14, when attached to a 11/2 inch ladder rail,
the tab 38' of the second bracket 16 mates with the first slot 30
of the first bracket 14. Moreover, the tab 38 of the first bracket
14 mates with the first slot 30' of the second bracket 16.
Preferably, the tabs 38 and 38' loosely mate with slots 30, 30', 32
and 32', to accommodate any manufacturing defects or slight
misalignments between the first bracket 14 and the second bracket
16.
As shown in perspective in FIG. 2 and in cross-section in FIGS. 6
and 11, after attachment of the first bracket 14 and the second
bracket 16 to the rail 12, the first bracket 14 is vertically
offset with respect to the second bracket 16. Top portions, 24 and
24', include apertures, 40 and 40', respectively. As shown in FIGS.
3 and 4, apertures, 40 and 40', are closer to first side portions,
20 and 20', than to second side portions, 22 and 22'. This offset
center design of the top portions, 24 and 24', allows rod 42 to be
inserted through apertures, 40 and 40', for securing the bracket
system 10 to the rail 12.
As shown in perspective in FIG. 1, the rod 42 has a first end 44
and a second end 46. As best seen in cross-section in FIG. 6, a
first washer 48 and a first nut 50 are attached to the first end 44
of the rod 42 to secure the bracket system 10 to the rail 12.
Likewise, a second washer 52 and a second nut 54 are attached to
the second end 46 of the rod 42 to further secure the bracket
system 10 to the rail 12.
In operation, the first bracket 14 is positioned on one side of the
rail 12. The second bracket 16 is inverted, and the first side
portion 20' of the second bracket 16 is placed between the first
side portion 20 and the second side portion 22 of the first bracket
14 (see FIGS. 9 and 10). When attached to a 11/2 inch ladder rail,
the tab 38' of the second bracket 16 mates with the first slot 30
of the first bracket 14, and the tab 38 of the first bracket 14
mates with the first slot 30' of the second bracket 16. Similarly,
when attached to a 2 inch ladder rail, the tab 38' of the second
bracket 16 mates with the second slot 32 of the first bracket 14,
and the tab 38 of the first bracket 14 mates with the second slot
32' of the second bracket 16. When the second bracket 16 is
attached to the first bracket 14, the first and second brackets, 14
and 16, can be released without falling from the rail 12. This
allows for easy insertion of the rod 42 through apertures, 40 and
40'. Then the first washer 48 and the first nut 50 are attached to
the first end 44 of the rod 42, and the second washer 52 and the
second nut 54 are attached to the second end 46 of the rod 42.
The disclosed invention provides a bracket system for attachment to
ladder rack rails of various sizes. It should be noted that the
above-described and illustrated embodiments and preferred
embodiments of the invention are not an exhaustive listing of the
forms such a bracket system in accordance with the invention might
take; rather, they serve as exemplary and illustrative of
embodiments of the invention as presently understood. By way of
example, and without limitation, a bracket system having three of
more slots to accommodate additional ladder rack rail sizes is
contemplated to be within the scope of the invention. Many other
forms of the invention are believed to exist.
* * * * *